Pages

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

A very special 3rd birthday.

Happy 3rd Birthday to my first propagated fig tree! (Yes, I'm that person.) No but seriously, this is a really big deal. This is the first fig tree that I ever propagated, which means that this is the tree that started everything! By learning how to properly propagate fig trees, with this once little guy as my guinea pig, I not only found an obsession a hobby and new skill, but something I'm so passionate about that one day I hope to not only have a fig orchard, but also sell fig trees to the general populace. This is the tree! Right here!

I've learned a lot in the three years since I sneakily took my pruning shears down to one of our village trees to cut off a 12 inch branch. Most of what I've learned has been trial by fire. I now have 10 large fig trees in large pots, and 12 small fig trees in small pots, here in the Duggan Terrace Orchard. We are currently in our second year of getting actual ripened figs and being able to enjoy the fruits of our labor (pun intended). I've learned to propagate cuttings directly into soil, and also by submerging them in water. I've learned when to repot them, and when to leave them be. But the most important thing I've learned? Don't let anyone tell you that trying to grow something is a stupid idea. Plenty of people scoffed when I told them what I wanted to do, and I know now what I would have missed out on had I listened to those negative nancies.

And again, Happy Birthday not-so-little fig tree, and thank you for showing me something new each and everyday. Now get busy ripening the rest of those figs. Just because it's your birthday doesn't mean you get the day off...

6 comments:

Our neighbors have a large fig tree in their yard that I'm forever pulling fruit from to make preserves with, or some dessert or another since they don't eat them (unless you count the family dog). Maybe it's time I started growing my own!

A neighbor who doesn't eat fig off a large fig tree?! That is lucky right there Liene! Do you know what kind it is? And growing them on your own is really simple and rewarding, you should totally try it...and still collect from their tree. :)

I would love to have a large vegetable garden one day, but considering we live in a condo in a big city, I think I may just have to pick something small for now. Maybe I'll stick with some herbs, I don't always have the best track record with plants.

You can keep figs small by keeping them in small pots, just saying. :) I just happen to want my trees to grow into gargantuan monsters that take over our terrace, and if you ask Doc we're about halfway there now - ha!

Thanks Taylor! Three years is a record for me so far, since I never had anything but one type of houseplant before moving abroad. I never would have guessed on that plane ride to move over here that THIS would be my new hobby! And don't worry, once we get back to the States I've got a little tree with your name on it!